Joey Mar
Joey Mar, shares his healthy habits when sitting down to make a track, how inspiration can strike at unexpected times and also some alternative ways to bring everyday sounds into music production.
Joey Mar is a UK-based DJ and producer, who writes house music with garage and jackin house influences, strictly for the dancefloor. He began spinning at clubs around London in 2016.
Joey Mar's most notable tracks were out on labels such as Moxy Muzik, Miura Records, CUFF and Freakin909.
His tracks received attention from DJs such as Amine Edge & DANCE, Darius Syrossian, Endor and many more.
Joey Mar's track "Raph" is now available on OTBD010
Do you have a ritual when composing music and how do you stay inspired after all these years?
I don’t follow a strict routine before composing, but I do have a few helpful habits. I always start with a strong cup of espresso to wake up my mind, then I put my phone away to eliminate distractions and create a focused environment.
For inspiration, I like to immerse myself in different music genres over several months. Recently I've moved over to Belfast with my partner and the choice and variety of record fairs are enormous. Thanks to her help in digging between vinyl shelves, I'm now also exploring world music, which introduced me to new sounds and ideas. I listen for unique rhythms or acapellas.
Could you tell us a bit about the process of making your track? How did it come about? Can you remember where you wrote it? What methods did you use to produce it?
I made this track nearly four years ago while visiting my newborn nephew. Even though I always produce music specifically for the dancefloor, I wanted this one to have that same energy—but also carry a personal touch. That’s why I named the track after him.
While wandering through the airport, I stopped by an electronics shop where they were playing an old classic house track with a powerful, centered vocal. It caught my ear immediately. I managed to sample the acappella and then built everything else around it, layering in elements that felt both emotional and club-ready. The track came together in about three hours. When it comes to my process, I almost always start with the drums and then move on to the bassline. If the kick locks in well with the bass, I feel like half the job is already done. That groove sets the foundation, and everything else flows from there.
If you could go back in time and give guidance to your younger self, what would you say that would impact your career the most?
If I could go back in time, I’d definitely spend more time studying music and composition from the start. I still remember the day I got my first copy of FL Studio and made a track with zero knowledge. It was probably the only dance track ever made without a bassline—just a strong kick that, at the time, I thought was the bass. A total disaster.
Not long after, a friend of mine—shoutout to Gefra, an incredibly talented DJ and producer—introduced me to the basics of Ableton Live. From there, I slowly started to understand how everything worked. In those first couple of years, I was lucky enough to sign a few tracks, but I knew that if I wanted to take things to the next level, I had to deepen my understanding of music and audio.
After COVID hit, I decided to enroll in university, and eventually graduated with a degree in Audio Production, specializing in Electronic Music Production. That decision completely changed the game for me.
When producing, are you more in the box or do you use Outboard too? Could you share with us a single unit or tool that is a true game changer for you, and why?
I’m definitely an in-the-box producer, but since I do a lot of sound design in my tracks, contact mics—or piezo mics for the true nerds—have been a real game changer for me. I love using them on everyday objects, especially when creating unique drum elements. They add a raw, textured feel that you just can't get from standard sample packs.
At Outboard, our aim is to establish a new way of remunerating music producers , fairly and transparently. Why did you choose to come on board?
I first discovered Outboard through one of my favorite producers, Scott Diaz, who released a track on the platform. I’m really glad I was approached to be part of this community—it’s an exciting space for artists. Hopefully, this will be the first of many releases on Outboard.
Joey Mar's track "Raph" is now available on OTBD010
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